March 29, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
FEATURE

RUTH HYACINTH FRAZER-JAMES

At 80 years old, Ruth Hyacinth Frazer- James is still contributing to community development. She has recently received a Badge of Honour, in the national Awards, for thirty years of loyal service to Jamaica’s health sector. Retired four years ago, Mrs James had been a nurse/midwife for sixty years and spent a number of years training nurses in England where she studied.She moved back to Jamaica in 1979 as she wanted her seven year old son to be schooled in Jamaica. She took up a job which was offered to her by the Ministry of Health to become a nurse at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, was then transferred to the Port Maria Hospital and subsequently the Health Centre in St Mary. She was first a nurse educator then she became a family life educator at the health centre.Mrs Oliver was also selected by the Ministry of Health to be a clinical training supervisor with persons from the John Hopkins University in America who were carrying out training in the parishes of Portland, St Mary and St Ann. Though she uses a walking aid because of an injury she sustained in 2010, she is still involved in many community activities.She is the vice chairman of the Derry Basic School and a very active member of the Derry United Church. She also offers counselling and first aid to anyone who requires it and still manages to farm on five acres of land.